Flame control device



March 8, 1960 J. QulsT 2,927,633

, y FLAME CONTROL DEVICE Filed Oct. 21, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 E fi H H J M M j I ATTORNEY March 8, 1960 J. QUlST 2,927,633

FLAME CONTROL DEVICE Filed Oct. 21, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 x 43 a m 5:52? BY A 77' OE'NE Y United States Patent r 2,927,633 FLAME CONTROL DEVICE John Quist, Detroit, Mich.

Application October 21, 1957, Serial No. 691,328

Claims. c1. 158-4) This invention relates to a flame controlling or deflecting device particularly adapted to be used in home heating units to assist in the placement of the flame of com? bustio'n in close proximity to the wall of the combustion chamber.

There are disclosed in the prior art a wide variety of shapes-and forms of flame controlling or deflecting de- I vices having certain general common characteristics. Their flame controlling or deflecting portions are relatively short and only partially overlie, in a radial direction, the area between the flame ring and the combustion chamber wall. Thus, they are not fully effective in accomplishing their desired purpose which is to dispose the flame in intimate contact with the chamber wall, that is, to provide a more closely held, higher and wider blanket of heat against the chamber wall. V e

It is an object of the present invention to provide a flame controlling or deflecting device having a novel configuration and adapted to reach from the flame ring to the combustion chamberwall. Despite the novel con figuration, the flame controlling or deflecting device is so formed of sheet metal that it may be easily and inexpensively produced. Further, the construction is such that the device may be easily installed in operative position without any structural alterations of the heating unit. And, the construction is such that the utility of the device is relatively independent of the variations encountered in the spacing between the flame ring and the combustion chamber wall in different heating units andis also independent of the shape of the flange ring, whether the latter be circular, square, oval o'r'some other shape.

. Further objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein: 1 1

Fig. 1 is a transverse section of the combustion cham ber showing the burner apparatus in plan view;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 22 of Fig. 1 lo'oking in the direction of the arrows; I

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a corner of the combustion chamber showing the flame control or deflector device embodying the present invention in operative to'be understood that the present invention is not limited in its application to'the details of construction or arrangement of parts illustrated in-the accompanying drawing,

"ice

since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also,

it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. I v

For the .purpose of illustration, the present invention is shown applied to a furnace of the warm air type having a rotaryburner of the wall flame type. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the furnace, generally designated 10, comprises an outer casing or jacket 11 housing the combustio'n chamber 12. The combustion chamber 12 is illus trated'as having a cylindrical wall 13. The bottom of the chamber is defined by a horizontal plate 14 spaced from the floor 15 of the furnace. Overlying the plate 14 is a layer of insulation or refractory material forming a hearth 16. Centrally located within the combustion chamber 12 is a rotary fuel and air distributing mechanism 17 driven by an electric moto'r 18. Supported on the hearth 16 in concentric relation to the chamber wall 13 is a metal flame ring 19. The flame ring 19 com prises spaced inner and outer flanges 20 and21 respectively, joined by a base portion 22.

Only a portion of the fuel and air distributing mechanism projects above the upper surface of the hearth 16, most of the mechanism lying within the hearth 16 and the motor 18 being lo'cated in the space between the plate 14 and the furnace floor 15. Visible in Fig. 2 are the fuel discharge tubes 23 and the fan blades 24.

The oil discharged from the distributing mechani'smi17 through the fuel discharge tubes 23 impinges against the outer flange 21 of the flame ring 19. During the starting period the oil is ignited by sparks produced by an electrode device 25 having an electrode rod -26 the end of which is located in close proximity to the metal flame ring 19. The flame ring 19 is appropriately grounded and forms the second'electrode; 4

The foregoing structure is conventional and is briefly described in only general terms since the various manufacturers of heating units have their individual versions of the basic structure. The present invention is concerned with a simple flame control or deflection and splitting device adapted to improve the heat producing performance of a heating unit as above generally described. It is readily apparent that to merely throw the fuel against the outer flange 21 of the flame ring 19 and then to ignite the same by the spark producing device 25 wouldnot furnish satisfactory heating performance. Although the fan blades 24 create a blanket of air flow over the flame ring 19 toward the combustion chamber wall 13, the turbulence derived is not suflicient to promote a highly eflicient' intermixture of fuel vapor and air. Furthermore, the fuel .vapor and air mixture when ignited has a tendency to cone toward the center of the combustion chamber leaving the wall of the chamber relatively cool. Thus, in most installations it has been found necessary to mount on the; upper edge of the outer flange, the flange corresponding to the flange 21 of the structure illustrated in Figs 1 and 2, of the flame ring or flame forming apparatus a seriesofdevices known to the art' as flame control or deflector de vices. The function of the flame control or deflectordevices is to promote increased turbulence and therefore increased intermixture of the fuel vapor and air. The

further function of the flame control or deflector devices is to split the fiamesand improve the flame-air mixture and guide the combustible mixture of flames, vapor and air toward the chamber wall.

Y .Referring to Figs. 4 to 8, inclusive, the flame control or a very simple manner.

' acemes material is 24 gage AISI "(American Iron and Steel Institute) type 302 stainless steel.

In forming the flame control or deflector device 27 the metal blank is cut along equally spaced parallel transverse lines, the-cut lines terminating short of the center to provide nn elongated flat center rib portion 28. The cut lines 'thus divide the blanh into the-central rib 28 having a series of strips or w'ing :portions 29 extending outwardly laterally therefrom. As best seen in Figs. 4 and 6, the first, fourth and every subsequent third pair of strips, identified as 29a, 29b, 29c, 29d, '29s, and 29f remain in =their original coplanar relationship to the centerrib'28. :Startingw'iththe-first set ofstrips or wing portions between the coplanar strips or wing portionspthe strips between the -coplanar strips are alternately bent= out of the plane -of the center -r'ib tonne-side or the other thereof to form vanes 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30c, 30],36g, 3011, 301 and "30 The vanes '30b'are preferably'notched at31,the notches'31'providing a means for positioning the deflector on the upper edge 32 of the flame ring flange 21, for a reasonto be hereinafter explained.

Referring-to Fig. 8, theflame control or deflector device 27 is positioned-within the combustion chamberin It is simply laid across the space between the outer flange-21 of the flame ring19 and the inner surface of the chamber wall 13. 'The upper edge of'the vane 30b notch 31 rests on the upper-surface32 of "the flame ring properly positioning the strips or wing portions 29a within-the circumference of 'the'outer flame ring flange 21. The rib portion 28 is also sufiiciently elevated to permit thepassage of the flames, fuel vapor and air mixture therebeneath.

i l'ltliough :only eight deflectors 27 are-shown in Fig. 1, it will be readily understood that agreaternumber'may be used if desired, the number being limited only by the circumferential size of'the flange '21.

With the deflectors in position, the furnace operates in'theconventional manner. The fuel is distributed by the distributing mechanism and is ignited by the electrode device 25. The initial burning takesplace between the flanges of the flame ring 1-9. This initial burning causes the flame ring andthe portions of the deflector devices projecting into theflame ring area to become hot. As additional fuel hits the hot surfaces, the-oil and air become vaporized. "The vaporized fuel-air mixture travels 'up the deflector devices 27. In e'ifect, thedeflector devices provide a heat conducting bridge tothe combustion chamber walls. The deflector devices 27 becomel'glowinghot and materially assist in the vaporization of the fuel-air mixture. 'The air within the'combustion 'chamberhas-a rotational movement due to the action of the fan blades '24. The vanes of the deflector :devices '27 are effectiveto increase the turbulenceof the moving air'creating -a greater intermixture of combustible-vapor and "air-which is caused-to ignite by the glowing heat'of the deflectors. 'The electrode device 25 is, .of course, deactivated as soon as the combustion chamber heat reaches a prcdetermined limit. The burning of the fuel then isa self-sustaining operation as long 'as fuel is fed into 'the combustion chamber.

It 'has been 'foundthatthe use of deflector devices-em- -bd ying the present invention materially shortens the time required to' bring the combustion chamber up to the temperature at which *the' ignition device is'rendered-inoperative thus-increasing the useful lifeof the electrode. Further, the deflector devices 27, by causing a more -intimate mixture of flame, fuel and air, create a hotter and cleaner flame materially reducing "heat insulating carbon deposits on the combustion chamberwalls. The deflector devices '27, by bridging the gap between flame-ring and combustion chamber wall, inducesa flame-flow pattern providing-a higher and closer blanket of fiame'against'th inner'wallof the combustion chamber.

Referringzto :Figs. 8 :and 9, the-flame 'control .or deilector devices 27 areiillustrated ;as formed .in integral relation with one another, that is, formed from an elongated sheet and connected to each other by extensions 33 of the coplanar strips 29a, 29b and so forth. The elongated or multiple deflector 'unit 34 so formed is sufliciently flexible so that-it may be curved, see Fig. 9, to fit the contour of the flame ring whether circular or oval. if the flame ring is square, it is believed readily apparent that the unit 34 is still .rfully iadaptable. The multiple unit may be supplied in standard lengths and may be cut to size by cuttingthrough the strips joining adjacent deflectors 27.

Although the use of the deflectors 27 has been described in -terms of their application to an oil 'burner heating unit, it is believed ..readily.apparent that the devices are readily adaptable to gas burning or other fuel burning units. As applied to a gas burner, the deflectors would rest at their lower end on the burner ring and would again be fully effective to provide a heat bridge toward the chamber-wallrather than permitting the gas flame to follow its natural tendency to form a heat cone over the center of the burner.

I claim:

1. In combination, a vaporized fuel burning apparatus which uses fuel and air to "form ilames for combustion purposcs and which is provided with a combustion chamber including an-inner vertical .wall; said fuel burning apparatusbeing provided with a flame forming apparatus disposed ina horizontal'plane and spaced from said inner wall; a flamesplitting and air mixing and deflecting device comprising anelongated member resting with-one end thereof on said flame forming apparatus and with the other --.end thereof against :said wall and'at an upwardly andoutwar'dly extended angleto the'horizontal plane of said flame forming apparatus; said elongated member'having a longitudinally extending central flat rib portion, and wing portions extending outwardly laterally on .each side of said-rib portion; selected ones'of'said wing portions 'being coplanar with said rib portion; selected others'o'f said wing portions being alternately angularlyinclined in opposite directions relative to the plane of said rib portions; said wing portions forming vanes providingrneans positioned to produce a more intimate mixture of 'the 'air and flames passing 'therearound and toguide 'and deflect said mixture outwardly whereby "the flames produced "will be directed into 'engagement with the entire inner space of said wall and space in 'saidcharnber.

2. In combination, avaporized fuel'burning apparatus which uses fuel and air'to form flames for combustion purposes and which is provided-wither combustion chamer includingan'inner vertical-wall; said fuelburning' apparatus "being provided with a 'flame "forming apparatus disposed in a horizontal plane and spaced from said inner wall; aflame splitting and air mixing and defiectingdevice comprising an elongated member resting with one end thereof on said flame forming apparatus andwith the other 'end thereof against said wall and at 'an upwardly and outwardly extended angle to the horizontal plane of said flame forming apparatus; said elongated member having a longitudinally extending central flat rib portion, and pairs of wing portions extending outwardly laterally on eaeh' side of said rib portion; the first'pair, the fourth pair, and every subsequent third pair of :wing portions beingcoplanar with said rib portion; the pairs of wing portions between said coplanar pairs being alternately angularly inclinedin oppositedirections; said wing portions forming vanes providing means positioned to improve themixtureof the air and flames passing therearound :and tognide and deflect said mixture outwardly whereby the flames produced will be directed into1ongagement with theaentiresurface.rof'said wall and space tin'isaid chamber.

.3. In combination, a vaporized :fuel burning apparatus which uses. fuel and .air .to -form .flames efor combustion purposes and-which is-provided with a combustion ber including an inner vertical wall; said fuel burning apparatus being provided with a flame forming apparatus disposed in a horizontal plane and spaced from said inner wall; a flame deflecting and enlarging device having at least one elongated flat rib portion,- said device being positioned at an upwardly and outwardly extended angle within the combustion chamber with its lower end supported on the flame forming apparatus and its upper end resting on the combustion chamber inner wall, wing portions extending outwardly laterally of said rib portion from both sides thereof, at least the first and last pairs of said wing portions being coplanar with said rib portion, the wing portions between said first and last pairs being selectively outwardly and upwardly turned, outwardly and downwardly turned, and coplanar with respect to the plane of said rib portion, said wing portions thereby forming vanesand V-shaped guide channels, said vanes providing means effective to deflect and enlarge the circulation of a flame-air mixture within said chamber to improve the mixture thereof, said device providing a heat bridge causing said mixture to flow'outwardly toward the combustion chamber wall whereby the flames produced will be directed against the entire surface of said wall.

4. In combination, a vaporized fuel burning apparatus which uses fuel and air to form flames for combustion purposes and which is provided with a combustion chamber including an inner vertical wall; said fuel burning apparatus being provided with a flame forming apparatus its upperend in contact with the combustion chamber J inner wall, wing portions extending outwardly laterally of said center rib portion from both sides thereof, the first and last pairs and selected intermediate pairs of said wing portions being coplanar with said center rib portion, the pairs of wing portions between said coplanar pairs being selectively outwardly and upwardly, outwardly and downwardly turned with respect to the plane of said center rib portion to form with said coplanar pairs vanes,- said vanes providing means effective to split, guide and deflect the circulation of flame-air mixture-within said purposes and which is provided with a combustion cham ber including an inner vertical wall; said fuel burning apparatus being provided with a flame forming apparatus spaced from said inner wall; a flame deflection device comprising a. member formed of a sheet of heat resistant metal, said device being positioned at an upwardly and outwardly extended angle within the combustion chamber with its lower end supported on the flame forming apparatus and its upper end resting on the combustion chamber inner wall, said sheet being slotted along parallel spaced lines extending inwardly from the side edges but terminating short ofthe center, said sheet thereby providing an elongated flat center rib section, having a series of pairs of wing portions integrally attached thereto, at least the first and last pairs of said wing portions being retained coplanar with said center rib portion, the wing portions between said flrst and last pairs being in order selectively outwardly and upwardly turned,

outwardly and downwardly turned and coplanar with respect to the plane of said center'rib portion to'form vanes, said vanes providing means eifective to deflect the circulation of a flame-air mixture within said chamber to increase the mixture thereof, said device providing a heat bridge between said flame forming apparatus and said wall causing'said mixture to flow outwardly toward the combustionjchamber wall whereby the flames produced willbe directed against the entire surface of said wall.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITEDSTATES PATENTS Lyerly Oct. 20, 1953 fuel burning apparatus, 

